Media Center
Corporate Communications tells OCFA’s story with transparency, accuracy, and purpose. This team leads internal and external communications, responds to media inquiries, supports emergency incidents, and drives public awareness through education campaigns and community outreach. From crisis response to everyday storytelling, they ensure OCFA’s voice remains clear, timely, and connected to the people we serve.
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In the media
Catch the latest headlines and media coverage featuring the Orange County Fire Authority.
Podcast
Join hosts OCFA Fire Captain/Investigator Scott Kuhlman and Sophia Champieux as they take you behind the scenes of Orange County’s most compelling fire investigations. From arson to accidental blazes, twice a month we’ll explore a new case that uncovers the science, intuition, and human stories behind the flames. Through interviews with experts, fire investigators, law enforcement, and forensic specialists, Hot Pursuit offers an insider’s look at how these mysterious and often chilling fires are solved. Discover the untold stories that rise from the ashes, one fire at a time.
Executive Producer: Kevin Hansen
Hosts: Sophia Champieux & Scott Kuhlman
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News and Active Incidents
OCFA’s Active Incidents section provides real-time information on emergencies happening now. See where our responders are deployed and stay connected to ongoing public safety efforts in your area.
Posts from @OCFireAuthority
Happy National Dog Day! 🐶
Today we’re celebrating our hardworking K9 partners who keep our communities safe. From Urban Search & Rescue to Arson Investigations, these dogs deserve all the love and well-deserved boops!
Which K9 would you boop first? 🐾❤️
▪️ Kendri - Live Find
▪️ Nanci - Live Find
▪️ Dallas - Live Find
▪️ Mia - Human Remains Detection
▪️ Freedom - Accelerant Detection
🔥 Challenge Faced. Challenge Accepted. Challenge Overcome. 🔥
At 4:00 AM this morning, OCFA firefighters were dispatched to a fully involved mobile home fire in Lake Forest.
One major challenge? Mobile home parks often have limited and widely spaced fire hydrants — and that >>
was the case today. But this is exactly the kind of challenge our crews train for.
🚒 Three engines worked in perfect coordination, deploying hundreds of feet of hose in just minutes to secure a reliable water supply and launch a fast, aggressive fire attack. >>>
💪 Their quick work contained the fire and prevented it from spreading to neighboring homes.
This is what training, teamwork, and hustle leads to: an optimal outcome.
No injuries. Cause is under investigation. 2 adults displaced.
🐾 Retirement Announcement! 🐾
After an incredible career sniffing out the truth 🔥🐶, OCFA’s most popular (and most paws-itively loved) employee is hanging up his badge.
K9 Freedom, our dedicated Accelerant Detection Dog, will be retiring next month after years of loyal >>>>
service, helping investigate arson cases and keeping our communities safe.
From fire scenes to school demos, Freedom has left paw prints across Orange County.
Stay tuned as we prepare to celebrate his retirement in style.
🔥Garage Fire – Mission Viejo🔥
This morning, Engine 31 responded to a garage fire in Mission Viejo. Crews arrived to find the garage well involved and one person suffering from smoke inhalation.
Firefighters quickly went to work, attacking the flames and providing medical>>>
care at the same time. The fire was contained to the garage, preventing further damage to the home.
The call came in at 6:28 and was on Pedroso in Mission Viejo.
🚨🔥 The Club Fire 🔥🚨
🌎 Location: Near Dove Canyon
⏰ Time: Reported just before 9:00 AM
⚡️ Cause: Lightning strike
Firefighters held a vegetation fire to 4.25 acres by attacking the fire from both the ground and air. The coordinated attack limited the spread of the fire >>>
and eliminated any risk of it affecting the communities of Orange County.
Firefighters will remain on scene, mopping up all remaining hot spots.
OCFA is hiring! We’re looking for a Wildland Resource Technician to join our team. 🌳 Learn more about the qualifications and job description by visiting https://bit.ly/JOINOCFA.
Recruitment closes September 7. Don’t wait, apply today! #JoinOCFA
Irvine - Fire in a restaurant prompts multiple urgent calls for firefighters.
Dispatchers in our emergency command center launched a commercial structure fire assignment to the 4800 block of Irvine Blvd. shortly before 7:00 AM. The fire was in a first floor unit that was >>>
unoccupied and threatening surrounding businesses including the one above it. With a coordinated and rapid attack, firefighters were able to confine the morning blaze to the original unit and prevent extensive damage. No injuries were reported, and our investigators are on
scene determining the origin and cause. Assistance was provided by the Irvine Police Department.
Dispatchers in our Emergency Command Center are receiving multiple calls regarding a vegetation fire burning in Camp Pendleton. Resources are on scene and we are monitoring the situation. At this time, there is no threat to San Clemente. If you have an emergency, please call 911.
We currently have firefighters on the ground along with our Firehawks assisting air tankers and Camp Pendleton crews. The fire is not a threat to San Clemente at this time.
🚨 Beacon Fire – Laguna Niguel 🚒
At 3:26 p.m. this afternoon, OCFA responded to reports of a fast-moving vegetation fire threatening homes in the Beacon Hill community of Laguna Niguel.
Working in unified command with OCSD (Orange County Sheriff’s Department), more than >>>
150 firefighters from OCFA and partnering agencies quickly mobilized—supported by an OCFA FIREHAWK, an OCFA Bell 412 helicopter, a QRF helicopter, and ground crews, including both OCFA hand crews and a dozer team.
Crews faced steep terrain and immediate structure threats but >>>
responded with speed and precision. By 5:02 p.m., forward progress was stopped.
🚁 22,426 gallons of water were dropped from the air
🏡 No structures lost
🚫 No injuries reported
🔥 Minor damage to fences behind a few homes
The threat to structures has been mitigated. The fire has been held to 4 acres. Crews will remain on scene to mop up hot spots.
Forward rate of progress on the Beacon Fire has been stopped. The fire is holding at 4 acres. There is minor damage to fences at the rear of a few homes. No structures have been lost, and there are no injuries at this time.
Firefighters are making good progress on a 3-acre brush fire in the City of Laguna Niguel. The fire is in the area of Ridgeway Avenue and Beacon Hill Way, with the call coming in at approximately 3:26 p.m. No structures have been lost at this time. In unified command with OCSD.
OCFA is on scene of the #BeaconFire in the City of Laguna Niguel. PIO is en route. More information to follow.
The evacuation order has been lifted. Repopulation has occurred. Copps Way remains closed to vehicular traffic.
The weather is heating up in Orange County this week! ☀️ Keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe during the rising temperatures:
▪️ Limit sun exposure
▪️ Avoid strenuous outdoor activities
▪️ Drink plenty of water
▪️ Use sunscreen
▪️ Never leave children or pets in a hot car
▪️ Watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Stay cool and stay safe, OC! 💧🔥
🚒🔥 Quick Action in Tustin!
Firefighters swiftly contained a fire at a restaurant in a local strip mall, preventing major damage and protecting nearby businesses.
💧👨🚒 After extinguishing the flames, our crews performed salvage operations to help reduce water damage and >>>
preserve property inside the restaurant—an important part of our job that often goes unseen.
Thanks to our partners, Tustin PD and Orange City Fire, for assisting. No injuries. Cause is under investigation. The call came in at 12:52 PM and was in the 14,100 block of Newport Ave.
The Orange County Fire Authority mourns the loss of Los Angeles County Fire Department Firefighter Paramedic Jerry W. Guzman. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and our brothers and sisters at the Los Angeles County Fire Department during this difficult time.
The Orange County Fire Authority is proud to celebrate the growth and achievements of our incredible professional staff and operations personnel. Please join us in congratulating these individuals on their recent promotions.
We wish all of them well in their new roles! 👏
Congratulations to OCFA's four newest dispatchers who have completed Academy 27!
When calling OCFA during an emergency, the first voice you hear is that of a dispatcher in our Emergency Command Center (ECC).
These individuals have completed rigorous training to be able to handle emergency situations while remaining calm and professional. Welcome to the OCFA family!
Santiago Canyon - Firefighters responded to the 7500 block of Santiago Canyon Road for a vegetation fire shortly after 10:00 PM. Engine 15 was the first-arriving unit, and reported approximately a 1/4 acre fire. Due to a rapid response, crews quickly surrounded the fire and >>>
the forward progress of the blaze was stopped. No structures were damaged and no injuries reported. Firefighters will remain on scene to search out hotspots and mop up.
Mentoring the next generation of firefighters! 🔥
OCFA recently hosted Cadet Academy 25. This weeklong academy gave 56 cadets hands-on experience in wildland firefighting, rope rescue, auto extrication, and more.
The cadets walked away with new skills, experiences, and stronger relationships with their mentors and peers.
The academy ended with a graduation ceremony attended by family and friends. 👏
Adulting tip: check your smoke alarms every month. Your life may depend on it.
Working smoke alarms protect you, your family, and your home! 🏠
Wildfire season is year-round, and when every second counts, real-time information saves lives.
In addition to following the OCFA on X for real-time updates, we recommend @WatchDutyApp.
With OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy serving on Watch Duty’s Advisory Committee, OCFA is proud to support this nonprofit service that disseminates life-saving public safety information in real time.
This innovative platform reflects OCFA’s commitment to leveraging technology and partnerships that help us better protect lives and property in our region and beyond.
“I know it’s scary. A lot of help is coming.”
Those were the comforting words of OCFA Emergency Command Center Dispatcher Haley to a @MissionViejoCA husband who called 9-1-1 for his wife, Nickie, in March.
Along with clear CPR instructions, Haley reassured them that they were doing everything possible for their loved one until Engine 19 firefighters arrived and began advanced life-saving treatment.
Last week, Nickie and her husband reunited with the firefighters and Haley, exchanging hugs and joyful moments in a bond they now share through Nickie’s journey. We’re grateful to have been part of her story of survival.
Join us in congratulating Fire Captain Dennis Atencio on 35 years of dedicated service!
Captain Atencio served his first 22 years with the @CityOfSantaAna Fire Department before the transition to OCFA.
Throughout his career, he has served in specialized roles including with the Hazardous Materials team and Urban Search and Rescue as a member of California Task Force 5.
For the past eight years, he has proudly served @LakeForestCA on Engine 42.
Thank you, Captain Atencio, for 35 years of commitment, leadership, and service to others!
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